Tampa Bay Residents: Increase Your Home’s Efficiency Capability By Sealing Your Attic

installing insulation in atticExtreme temperatures in your attic can have major effects on your utility bills. And moisture in your attic can foster the growth of mold, which can cause structural damage as well as aggravate health problems for residents. Attic sealing can address both those problems.

A few ways to do that:

  • Reinforce your roof. Proper original construction, of course, helps protect your attic from the elements. But, after the fact, weatherproofing can also help. Flashing, a particular type of weatherproofing, is made of a waterproof material and is used to fill spaces and stop leaks.
  • Seal air gaps between your attic and rooms in your home. Warm, humid air from kitchens or bathrooms can seep up through leaks. Problem areas to check: around ductwork, plumbing, lighting fixtures, attic entryways and wiring. Use caulk or another sealant to repair gaps and leaks.
  • Ventilate your attic. Good air circulation will help prevent moisture from accumulating and fostering mold.  By replacing the panels that cover your soffits with ridged vents, you will allow air to enter while keeping the elements out.

It’s also smart to insulate your attic to prevent the transfer of heat from the outdoors into your home, which forces your A/C to work harder than it should have to. The Energy Star program offers guidance on the ideal insulation levels for attics in the Tampa Bay area. How much insulation you should add depends on how much insulation is already present.

Questions? Simpson Air proudly provides air conditioning and heating solutions to the Tampa Bay area. For more information on attic sealing or any other cooling or heating concerns, contact us today.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.